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Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Rush rumored to perform at Winter Olympics opening ceremony

Thu, Feb 4, 2010@9:38PM | comments removed/disabled

UPDATE - 2/11@9:39AM: It's all but confirmed now according to this release from the Canadian Press.

UPDATE - 2/10@10:33AM: Opening ceremony rehearsals have been taking place this week and so far there's no Rush sighting, but that doesn't necessarily rule them out. From BCLocalNews.com:

... Not all the performers were there in person – there were some lip-synching stand-ins, including a performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." ... The lighting of the Olympic cauldron wasn't part of the dress rehearsal – secrets such as how it's lit and other surprises are being withheld for the actual night. ...

Then there are these details from The Province:

... In a commercial that aired during Saturday Night Live promoting the revamped "We Are the World" single, which was recorded to help raise funds for Haiti and is set to premiere during NBC's Olympic coverage, the network advertised that opening ceremony performers include Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado and Sarah McLachlan. ...

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UPDATE - 2/9@3:28PM: Here's a bit of evidence that would seem to bolster the chances that this rumor is true. The Headline Talent Producer for the games is Samuel Leon Feldman who happens to represent Rush. From the Winter Olympics official website (thanks Sean):

Headline Talent Producer: Samuel Leon Feldman

Through two different companies, Sam Feldman represents more than 175 musical artists such as Nelly Furtado, Rush, Joni Mitchell and Elvis Costello. Feldman is also a partner in The Characters Talent Agency, representing Canadian actors such as Molly Parker and Ryan Reynolds.

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Rumors are flying around that Rush will be performing at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver next Friday, February 12th. The word is that they'll be playing a version of YYZ as part of a larger performance showcasing Canadian music. The opening ceremony will air on NBC beginning at 9PM EST on Friday, February 12th. More information as I learn it.

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